A CAMPAIGN to combat knife crime in the North East has won support from a college after students and staff heard the harrowing experience of a grieving father.
Simon Brown told criminology, policing and law students, as well as others from uniform and protective services, how he lost his son to a stabbing after the teenager intervened in an argument over just £5.
Connor Brown was only 18 and had everything to live for when a night out in his home city of Sunderland ended in tragedy.
He tried to help a friend who was embroiled in an argument with two youths and was stabbed down a dirty alley where medics had to perform open heart surgery to try and save his life.
Darlington College principal David Gartland said: “Simon’s workshop was incredibly impactful and it was so important to hear his messages.
“In a world which gives so much airtime to peddling hatred and self-promotion his humility stood out. When he was talking about the impact of the attack, he spent more time on the effects on police, ambulance and medical staff, even the perpetrators’ families, than himself.”
Simon launched the Connor Brown Trust after the attack, which now works with organisations all over the North East to raise awareness about knife crime and has 70,000 followers on social media.
Students heard that nationally there are at least 55,000 knife incidents a year and the ripple effects hit the whole community.
“Actions have consequences and a split second decision in the heat of the moment can change your life,” Simon said. “I am standing here as a grieving parent. I give these talks all over the Nort East because I do not want any other families to have to live the nightmare we have.”
Mr Gartland said Simon achieved the perfect balance between talking about the tragic murder of his son and explaining the facts around knife crime.
He said the college used its tutorial programme to support students so they left college able to make a positive contribution to society, give them direction and purpose in life.
“One of the things we are really proud of is that we don’t shy away from such issues,” he said. “It is about educating students to help them make positive life choices. We see a lot about the glamorisation of knife crime but Simon made an excellent point that young people should feel proud to lift a trophy not a knife.”
Criminology student Gracie Johnson, 18, of Catterick Garrison, said: “It was really brave that he was able to share his experiences with us. It was emotional but very educational.”
Fellow criminology student Carley Moser, 17, of Middleton St George, added: “We don’t normally hear the family’s side and Simon’s advice was really useful.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.